Great Valley Basketball Grade 1_2 Rules Updated: October 2013
1st / 2nd Grade Division Overview This division is for boys and girls in Grade 1 and 2. Division Philosophy The programs are built around learning, fun and community. Without the generous individuals from the community who volunteer their time GVBL would cease to exist. There is a large range of ability from a player who is picking up a basketball for the first time to a player who has been playing with older siblings since he/she could walk. The goal is to teach all of the players the rules of the game and proper way to play basketball. At this level the only experience that our coaches need is enjoying kids, patience and the desire to see kids improve and show good sportsmanship. This division is 100% about skill development. Strict man to man defense is played (no zones) and no offensive plays are to be taught. Ball size is 28.5 and 8.5 foot baskets Division Rules While officiating, you are teaching the players how to play basketball the correct way. This is not high school basketball and you are not expected to call the game like it was. You are expected to call a fair game and be an on the court coach to all the players. Specific rules and guidelines for the Grade 1 and 2 Division are the following: Game times It is important that games be kept on time. Adjustments may be required to time provided at half time to ensure games stay on track as well as ensuring substitution times are kept to a minimum The game will be played 5v5 with the game consisting of two twenty minute halves, running clock, until the final 2 minutes of the last half In the final 2 minutes of the last half the clock will be stopped on every whistle GVBL stresses equal playing time. All players should be a part of the game and get a chance to touch the ball as much as possible At every 5 minute interval the clock will stop and there will be a substitution time. It is a brief one minute period when both teams substitute players IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE A TIMEOUT.
At the beginning of each game and every substitution time (every 5 minutes) the players will line up at center court and match up. Players should be matched up according to ability level as best as possible. Please be discreet when making decisions. A hand over the head of your two best will assist the other coach to line them up properly vs. calling out names. Whoever is in control of the ball at the end of the quarter will retain possession to begin the next quarter There will be a jump ball to start the game. Alternate possession will take place to begin the second half Half times will be 3 minutes in length. There will be no time outs allowed during the game There is no overtime games can end in ties Personal and team fouls are not kept All players, irrespective of skill level, deserve a chance to play in all types of circumstances (starting the game, ending the game etc.). First and foremost this is a recreational league. Offenses No set offenses are to be taught. Practice time is spent exclusively on skill development No picking or screening is allowed. No stalling allowed. Effort should be made, even when leading at the end of the game, to advance the ball to the basket. Defenses Man to man defense only. No zone defenses are allowed There is no hawking the ball. The only time a player can guard a player not assigned to them is to stop a fast break. Once the fast break is stopped, the player must go back and guard their specified opponent. The goal is to try and let each player have a chance to be successful without being overwhelmed Although the team plays a strict man to man defense, the players must be aware of where the ball is and not ignore it just because their player does not have the ball. They should always be aware of their opponent and the ball Free Zone is the three point line. As soon as possession changes, the defense must get back inside the Free Zone line. The offense brings the ball up without any defense until they cross the Free Zone line. It is appropriate for the defense to stand behind the Free Zone line and bat the ball away from the offense. Players need to learn to dribble and protect the ball.
All PIAA rules apply as it relates to fouling a player First half of the season no free throws are taken. The team will keep possession of the ball. The second half of the season foul shots will be taken using a modified foul line (this will be at the discretion of the official) If a player chooses to shoot a modified free throw they are not permitted to follow their shot. If they shoot from the regular free throw line then they are permitted to rebound a missed shot. When the ball is taken out of bounds the defense must give at least 3 feet. All out of bounds balls are taken out on the sidelines above the free zone line. No out of bounds will be taken under the basket except following a made shot. No back court violations are called but instruction provided so as to prepare for the grade 3_4 league Scoring 3 point shots are not permitted. The ten point rule is in effect. When the scoreboard shows a ten point differential scoring will cease for the team leading (on the scoreboard) but will continue by the scorekeeper. If the team behind scores their points will be awarded and points from the bank will be allocated. No team in the lead will be penalized for having a lead. Example: Team is up by 10 and scores 2 points: 2 points are not put on the scoreboard but rather kept track of by the scorekeeper. Team is up by 10 with 2 points in the bank and other team scores: Team behind is awarded 2 points and 2 points are pulled from the bank for the team in the lead. If there is a blowout coaches should demonstrate good sportsmanship by: Encouraging their team to pass 5 times before scoring No fast breaks Encouraging your better players to pass to those that have not scored (easiest way to do this is instruct the player to go to the block and your best player to dribble right to him and hand him the ball then get out of the way) A goal at this level is to have all of your players score at least one basket by the end of the season Officiating Tips Officiating consistently is difficult at this level. In the beginning of the season, players are allotted more flexibility with infractions. As the players learn more and gain experience their responsibility for the infractions increases. Let s use traveling infraction as an example. In the
beginning of the year, call it, explain to the player that they must dribble the ball and give the ball back to the team. As the season progresses, call it, explain the violation and award to the opposing team. Feedback to the players should be in a positive fashion. Additional interpretation of the no help rule Player on a fast break any ONE player can stop the player who is on a fast break. Once the person guarding them catches up the player who stopped them must go back to the person they are guarding At this level it is a strict within arm s length of your player even in the key area Players are permitted to bat the ball away from an opponent if they are within arm s length of their own player Coaches should not use this to game the system. An example would be putting a player in each corner of the offensive area and give your best player the opportunity of going one on one with the player guarding them unobstructed. Officials will warn the coach if they feel they are behaving in a way that does not follow the philosophy of the league (a fun environment focused on the development of ALL players vs. winning) Miscellaneous Coaches are not permitted on the court during the game (except to make substitutions). They must remain in the area of the bench